Front Range
AvalancheJP Pickell · Mar 31, 2023 · Front Range
Weather
Winds: moderate (strong gusts) predominately out of the N/NW. Precip: Snowing fairly hard the entire tour (S5). Sky: Obscured, limited to very low visibility especially ATL
Snowpack
Significant wind effect on N/NE/E aspects. Scoured to old snow in flatter, more exposed areas (sastrugi), wind loaded with dense slab formation in others (below ridgelines and rollovers).
Avalanche
N aspect, 11.2k ft, BTL (but open slope below treeline with enough exposure to be effected by the significant wind event over the last few days). One rider and one skier safely descended a more treed, wind protected slope below the aqueduct (a run commonly referred to as flume). After, two riders decided to descend a more open slope, skiers left of flume with the goal of eventually joining flume. Both riders stopped at the edge of the open slope and briefly discussed a plan. The first rider began descending and after the second or third turn the slope broke well above them (at the feet of the rider above who was waiting, watching rider 1 on the slope). The 4-8 in wind slab propagated ~100ft and slid maybe 100 vertical ft. The first rider was able to ride safely off the slab into the trees and out of the path. No one caught or buried.